Course Descriptions

Health Sciences Ph.D. Program Objectives

The goal of the online Ph.D. in health sciences program is to teach students sophisticated and current knowledge of health science practices in the United States and globally. Graduates will be prepared to contribute rigorous and scientifically sound healthcare literature to their core discipline, lead organizations and institutions with a strong Christian faith compass, and design and conduct original research in interdisciplinary healthcare. The program is geared toward healthcare professionals who will be able to complete their online Doctor of Philosophy while continuing to work.

Course Descriptions

HS8301 Evidence-based Practice

This course provides a working knowledge of evidence-based practice in an interdisciplinary environment. Cases will be used as the backbone of this course to assist the student in analyzing data to justify the treatments used in clinical practice. Students will also learn to critically appraise the literature, evaluate diagnostic test performance, design clinical pathways and standard of care, and implement evidenced based practice findings in their own clinical or administrative setting.

HS8302 Bioethics in Clinical Practice and Research

This course introduces students to ethical concepts as they apply to clinical practice and conducting research with human subjects. The aim is to increase students' awareness of and ability to reason through ethical issues that arise in human subjects research and clinical practice. The course will draw upon historical examples, codes, declarations, and other sources of ethical guidance. 

HS8303 Single Subject Research Designs

This course will focus on applications and interpretations of single-case research designs and the analysis of human behavior in academic, healthcare, and community settings. It will cover a number of specific topic areas, including behavioral measurement, single subject research designs, data analysis methods, critical analysis, and evaluation of single-case research articles. Practiced skills will include designing single-subject research projects using various single-subject research designs. 

HS8304 Clinical Statistics

The course will cover statistical concepts used by healthcare practitioners and academicians in both appraising literature and conducting research. This will include descriptive statistics, parametric group comparison statistics, basic non-parametric statistics, linear modeling, probability, ANOVA, regression analysis, and chi-square tests. The focus of this course is on understanding, interpreting, and accurately applying statistical tests, such as selecting the correct test when designing a research project and appraising research literature using the given statistics. The relationship between statistical significance vs clinical significance is also stressed.   

HS 8305 Quantitative Research Methods

The course will cover the basic methods and approaches used in quantitative research in clinical and academic settings. A major emphasis of the course will be on the conceptualization and design of research studies, including theoretically underpinnings and application of concepts. Students will learn formulation of research questions, study design, reliability, validity, sampling, measurement, and interpretation of research findings. Practiced skills will include appraising published quantitative literature and designing quantitative studies related to health issues.

HS8306 Leadership in Healthcare and Academia

This course explores the various methods of leadership and management, both in academia and healthcare environments, and their impact on productivity, profitability, and employee satisfaction. Students will demonstrate competency of the various types of leaders and systems, as well as critique various leadership and management theories. Practiced skills will include applying leadership theories and concepts to their own personal growth and in their employment settings.  

HS 8307 Public Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

This course develops the knowledge and skills needed to work with communities to improve health status of the community. Students will examine the concepts of health and wellness, the determinants of health behavior, national health status, the history of health education, and the role of health promotion for disease prevention. 

HS8308 Grants and Publication

This course is designed to provide writing experiences which prepare the learner for manuscript and grant proposal submissions. This introductory experience into the grant process will include identification of funding sources, proposal writing, project management, and funding challenges. The course will also cover the process of publication, including selecting a journal, preparing the manuscript, submission, revision, and acceptance. Other course topics include writing abstracts, responding to a call for papers, and constructing poster presentations. 

HS8309 Qualitative Research Methods

This course will focus on the knowledge and skills needed to conduct qualitative research in clinical and academic settings. Students will explore the epistemology, theory, ethics, methodology, and procedures of qualitative research.  Practiced skills will include appraising qualitative research articles and conceptualizing and designing qualitative research studies related to health issues.

HS 8310 Healthcare Professionals as Academic and Clinical Instructors

In this course, students examine theoretical principles of teaching and learning for adult learners. Students will explore a variety of teaching methods with a particular emphasis on the educational roles health care professionals assume in both academic and clinical settings. Practiced skills will include formulating instructional plans for adult learners and apply instructional skills in real contexts. 

HS 9301 Dissertation 1

Through the dissertation course series, the student will work with their dissertation chairperson to design an independent research project, develop the methodology, defend a proposal, obtain IRB approval, collect and analyze data, draw conclusions, and ultimately defend the final project. The student and dissertation chairperson will determine which steps of the research process will be completed in each course while ensuring that the defined learning outcomes for each course are being met. 

HS 9302 Dissertation 2

Through the dissertation course series, the student will work with their dissertation chairperson to design an independent research project, develop the methodology, defend a proposal, obtain IRB approval, collect and analyze data, draw conclusions, and ultimately defend the final project. The student and dissertation chairperson will determine which steps of the research process will be completed in each course while ensuring that the defined learning outcomes for each course are being met. 

HS 9303 Dissertation 3

Through the dissertation course series, the student will work with their dissertation chairperson to design an independent research project, develop the methodology, defend a proposal, obtain IRB approval, collect and analyze data, draw conclusions, and ultimately defend the final project. The student and dissertation chairperson will determine which steps of the research process will be completed in each course while ensuring that the defined learning outcomes for each course are being met. 

HS 9304 Dissertation 4

Through the dissertation course series, the student will work with their dissertation chairperson to design an independent research project, develop the methodology, defend a proposal, obtain IRB approval, collect and analyze data, draw conclusions, and ultimately defend the final project. The student and dissertation chairperson will determine which steps of the research process will be completed in each course while ensuring that the defined learning outcomes for each course are being met. 

HS 9305 Dissertation 5

Through the dissertation course series, the student will work with their dissertation chairperson to design an independent research project, develop the methodology, defend a proposal, obtain IRB approval, collect and analyze data, draw conclusions, and ultimately defend the final project. The student and dissertation chairperson will determine which steps of the research process will be completed in each course while ensuring that the defined learning outcomes for each course are being met. 

HS 9106 Dissertation - Continuation

Students will enroll in this course if they have not successfully defended their dissertation by the end of HS 9305. The student will continue to work with their dissertation chairperson to design an independent research project, develop the methodology, defend a proposal, obtain IRB approval, collect and analyze data, draw conclusions, and ultimately defend the final project. The student must enroll in this course every semester until they have successfully defended their dissertation or until they have reached the completion deadline, which is 3 years from the date of their first dissertation course (whichever comes first).

Benefits of Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences

There are several advantages to earning an online Ph.D. in Health Sciences from Faulkner University. One benefit of the program is that it’s fully online, so students can study on their own time, at their own pace, and from virtually anywhere. At the same time, online students enjoy full access to all student resources, services, and libraries that on-campus students do. Also, enrolled students can integrate the degree program into their schedules while maintaining existing personal and professional commitments.

An additional benefit is that Faulkner University is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), so students feel confident they're receiving a high-quality education. Professionals take courses that have been carefully crafted to add to their prior knowledge of healthcare fields with up-to-date research and practices grounded in science while learning about the university’s history and Christian values.

Pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences

Earning an online Doctor of Philosophy in health sciences can be great for advancing your career as you begin or continue to conduct research, publish, or lead organizations in the healthcare field. Faulkner University, which has four campuses located in Alabama, imbues all degree programs with Christian faith and service. To take the next step toward your advanced degree, request information or fill out an application online today.